DJ HELLA YELLA (ON TOUR NOW W/TRAE)

You can’t have a good party without a good DJ. This is a statement DJ Hella Yella understands from first hand experience. While studying Kinesiology at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, the freshman noticed a lack of talented party starters on campus. He says, “I would go to parties and they would play something crunk and then play something completely wack right after that. It would mess up the whole party.” A music connoisseur all his life, DJ Hella Yella had a keen ear for hits and a love for originality. Knowing he could improve the entertainment quality in his city, Hella Yella created mixes in his dorm room as a hobby until he was offered a chance to spin at a public party. Things moved quickly after that. Since 2003, Hella Yella has been professionally DJing at several night clubs in Texas including Spiros (SEA nominated After Hours Club of the Year and voted 1 nightclub by UT), Zero Degrees, Bonggos, and Red 7. At one point, Hella Yella maintained weekly club gigs in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio simultaneously. His skills have been employed at some of the biggest college parties and major concerts at UT, TX State, UTSA, Southwestern University, Texas Lutheran, Paul Quinn, TX A&M, Huston-Tillotson, Baylor, and Prarie View. Over the past couple of years, Hella Yella has rocked shows for Yung Joc, Michael “5000” Watts, Trae, Kiotti, Lil Flip, Big Tuck & Tum Tum (DSR), Z-Ro, UGK, Crime Mob, Big Moe, Lil Keke, and more. He DJed at the “Pullin’ Up” video shoot and premier for Rapid Ric, Magno, Chalie Boy and the Whut It Do Fam. His residency at Club Spiros and tour DJ position with Texas notables Trae and Spark Dawg have helped make DJing a full-time passion. After years of admiring pioneers like Jazzy Jeff, DJ Screw, 5000 Watts, Ron C, Clinton Sparks, and Green Lantern, DJ Hella Yella has gained his own respect and influence in the community. Originally from Killeen, Texas – by way of San Antonio – DJ Hella Yella has always been a strong advocate for the Texas movement into the mainstream. In fact, he’s advanced the careers of many independent artists by introducing their music to his audience and DJing at their shows. He founded a bi-weekly showcase of local artists called the Capitol City Rap Fest in 2006 which has become the longest running local showcase in the city. Not only does he support local talent, DJ Hella Yella also assumes credit for breaking several major artists in his market. He explains, “I was on Crime Mob's ‘Rock Yo Hips’ early. I knew it was going to be heavy in the clubs so I forced it on people until they liked it. I also played a big hand in breaking Casino's ‘Game Time’. I played it at all the college parties and basketball games. People would ask me what it is, try to download it, and couldn't find it so they would come back to me to get it.” The impact DJ Hella Yella has had on his home state also extends into the underground mixtape circuit. His past projects include Yella Fever, The College Takeover, Fresh On Campus, I’m Stylin on You, Lavish R&B Volumes 1-4, and The Awakening. By expanding into the mixtape facet of the industry, DJ Hella Yella has been able to reach a worldwide audience. He says, “One of the defining moments of my career was having my mixtapes on all of the download sites across the world. I’m also one of the youngest CORE DJs and a Hustle Squad DJ.” His efforts as a DJ have been recognized in several media outlets including Down Magazine, OZONE Magazine, Distinction Magazine, SEA Mag, Austin News 8, Blackinthaatx.com, and The Box Entertainment DVD Volumes 1 & 3. He was featured on MTV’s Roomraiders which further increased his public spotlight. With a concrete foundation and an avid following of supporters, Hella Yella has no doubt his future in DJing will be a long one. “I plan to establish myself as a major tastemaker in the music game,” he says, “and one of the top college DJs in Texas. I also would like to get into the A&R biz.” In 2008, Hella Yella took home an SEA for Slept on DJ of the Year award and was also nominated for a Texas Hood Award.